Chapter 43

~ Bolstering the Ranks ~

SW/SW/SW

Far on the outskirt of the magical castle, which floated above a chasm, there was a unicorns-drawn carriage accompanied by unicorn riders. A symbol of a rose with four white wings was painted on the carriage doors, signaling commoners that it was not just an ordinary carriage.

It was the symbol of the House of Eldran, a family of a respectable origin.

Someone peeked from the carriage towards the castle. It was a woman of her early twenty. She was pretty, with a heart-shaped face, a small nose, and adorable green eyes. Her blonde hair was ornamented with hairpin and left down, loosely braided over her right shoulder.

At the sight of the black castle, her eyes widened in curiosity. She had heard tales of the king of the floating castle, who was infamous of his cruelty. The stories seemed to picture him in fiendishly cruel acts. They said he often captured women and ate them alive. Others said that he loved eating human meat.

If those were true, they why was she here? It was a simple question. The House of Eldran was declining. Many of the great descendants were either died in wars or being assassinated. Now, the once strong family was just a mere shadow of its former self.

Her hands trembled slightly. That was right. She was a sacrificial lamb to regain her great family’s power and honor. Even though she was offered as a concubine, it was an important position nonetheless, albeit less dignified. The master of the floating castle was regarded as the strongest being in Tel Nevos and surely forming an alliance with him was a huge stepping stone to restore her family power.

But why him? She didn’t dare to ask such a simple question. Born as the daughter of a noble count, she knew that her life was a family property. If her father wished to marry her to a man-eating monster, then she’d obey. For her family power, she would do anything.

The question was… would she still be alive to see the fruit of her effort?

Soft hands grasped her own. She looked to her right to see an older woman smiling. “Nervous, Annelotte, sweetheart?”

The younger woman nodded slowly, “Yes, Mother… very much.”

“…I know this can be hard for you,” the mother murmured, “…let us hope that the king accepts you. This is our last chance.”

“I will not embarrass you,” Annelotte spoke in a determined tone of voice while looking at her parents.

Not long after, they had arrived. With a heavy sigh, Annelotte exited the carriage, following her parents behind. She didn’t pay attention to several soldiers talking to her father. Instead, her eyes darted around the place.

Everything was black, crimson, silver, or gold in color. Although there were quite a number of flowers, their presences could not manage to lift the somber and terrifying atmosphere. Slowly they were being led inside.

Annelotte’s eyes were still travelling. This time they caught a majestic sight of a painting. It was huge, the frame was engraved with jewels and complicated patterns. The painting was about the royal family. They were two figures: a male, who was standing, and a female, who was sitting on a chair. The male was heavy-armored and wore an unusual, horned helmet with such a sinister design it sent a chill down her spine. His three eyes seemed to be staring at her as if they were alive...

The woman, meanwhile, was dressed in a shocking manner. She was almost nude. A pair of horns, bat-like wings, and a tail that ended in a spade confirmed her race—a succubus. It explained why her beauty was almost… unearthly. The worse of it all, she had an evil look in her eyes…

Annelotte breathed in and out to calm herself. She promised not to embarrass her parents. She’d do whatever she could so that the king would notice her.

“Annelotte, take care not to see the king in the eye,” her mother warned her.

Once again, Annelotte obeyed unquestioningly.

The throne door to the throne room was opened by itself. Anelotte straightened her posture and walked inside with her parents. It was dark, only illuminated by candles and the moon. There were many soldiers flanking the red carpet she walked on, each had an overly serious expression on their faces.

They made her nervous.

“The Lord and Lady of Grivenska, and their daughter, the Lady Annelotte Eldran,” the speaker announced.

The man fell on his knee and the women curtsied until the king addressed them.

Annelotte could not help but feel curious and peeked at the king from the corner of her eyes. It seemed that he was whispering with the queen. They were as the painting had portrayed. The queen was dressed rather vulgarly for her title and the king was as scary as he was in the painting.

Her father was the one to do the greetings, “His Majesty, the King. Her Majesty, the Queen.”

Annelotte could not stand the hostile stare from the queen. It was according to her prediction earlier: the queen was not a good person. Sometime later, Annelotte faintly heard murmurs …

“…I don’t see… kinky… them.”

“…their names… not the title… anal…”

What on earth they were talking about, she wondered…

“Rise,” they did so.

Annelotte’s father spoke again, “Thank you for the kind hospitality, Your Majesty.”

The king leaned against his palm and spoke in an almost-bored tone, “What is it you want, Grivenska?”

Annelotte was shocked to hear it. Grivenska was her father’s title. Calling him just ‘Grivenska’, which was reserved to someone who was dear or close to her father, was considered rude. Annelotte believed that her father and the king were just acquaintances.

“I have come yet with the same proposal, Sire,” her father explained, keeping his eyes off the king’s demonic ones. “We are terribly concerned about the terrible event that befalls the royal family. Her Majesty the Queen is still childless after twenty years of marriage.”

“Ah, you just wounded my poor, gentle heart,” Hathor made a quizzical look.

“I deeply apologize, Your Majesty. I know it is not my place to speak, but I was born here in Difterion Continent, and without a doubt have fallen in love with its royal families, especially the royal family of Kolatzvia. You are one of the most powerful royal families in Difterion and it is sad to see such a great family without an heir,” he lifted a hand towards Annelotte. “Therefore, we humbly offer you our daughter, Annelotte, in hope that she would give Your Majesty many wonderful children.”

As if on cue, Annelotte curtsied again, waiting for the king to say something.

“Let me be bold,” finally he spoke, “are you treating her like some sort of brood mothers?”

Annelotte gulped in fear and ceased curtsying. Now that she thought about it, the king was right. Her family gave her to a stranger just like that… to be impregnated like an animal!

Was this the right thing to do? To be tied with a man for the rest of her life? To be bound in a never-ending sorrow?

Her determination was waning rapidly…

…I want to go home…

…I want to flee…

…I wish I was born a man…

“N-No, Your Majesty. We are both concerned with Her Majesty’s childless state and at the same time, we are both worried about Annelotte. She is shy and pure, and our greatest fear is that she’d fall in love with an uncivilized, barbaric man. It is best that she is paired with you, Sire, who is the most respectable person in this continent and as well as being the most powerful.”

No, please no…

“What is her skill?”

No…

“She is quite adept in Alchemy, Sire.”

No, Father, no…! Please, stop…

The king was no longer leaning against his fist. Now his three eyes were directed at her, appraising her up and down. “I’ll take her as my concubine under one condition.”

Everyone could not miss that look of pure disbelief on the queen’s face.

“What could that be, Your Majesty?”

Annelotte sensed that he was deeply amused, but there was nothing funny to be laughed at!

“…I’ll take her only if she can get me erect.”

Annelotte did not quite get what it meant, but judging from everyone’s reaction, it was a vulgar word.

To everyone’s surprise, the queen giggled. “Oh, I doubt she would.”

Her mother coughed, “I-I am very sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but surely you must be joking…?”

“I am serious.”

“H-How?” her father stammered, “I believe that kind of topic is terribly improper to be shown in public…”

The king suddenly stood, “Follow me. Hathor.”

With the same mocking giggle, the queen rose to her feet and followed the king. The Eldrans were looking at each other before a feminine cough brought them to reality.

“The king is making fun of us…” her mother whispered, as they followed him.

“I don’t know, but he sounded serious… what do you think we should do?” her father whispered back.

“How would I know? This shocking turn of event almost made my heart skipped a beat!”

Annelotte couldn’t even speak, let alone think.

They were led into a simple, empty room, seemingly for a guest. Inside, the king took a seat on the side of the bed, facing them. Meanwhile Hathor was leaning on one of the posts. Annelotte stared dumbfounded at the king, unsure of what she ought to do.

“Sire, about that condition…” her father began, but was cut short by the king.

“Hathor.”

The succubus came near and pulled down his pants. Annelotte could hear her gasping and she immediately looked away. She was sure her parents did the same.

“This is to make it fair. Now undress,” the king ordered.

Annelotte bit her lower lip, trembling both in fear and humiliation. To her horror, her father had already closed the window. Although it was dimly-lit inside, she just could not bring herself to undress before a man, a stranger nonetheless!

“What’s wrong? Losing your nerve?” the king taunted.

Annelotte could feel her father’s intense stare even though she didn’t look at him.

“Hathor.”

The succubus clapped once and Annelotte was as bare as a newborn baby. She gasped, embarrassed to the core, and instinctively covered her breasts and lower belly.

“I want to see all of you.”

Annelotte closed her eyes forcibly. This was so embarrassing she wanted to die!

“Anne,” she heard her father’s warning. With a defeated sigh, she lowered her hands and tried as best to stand straight. It was hard to do, however, as she was deeply embarrassed. She hunched her body slightly.

It seemed like eternity until the king commented, “Ordinary.”

Looking ahead, there was nothing wrong with him. Her being naked did not arouse him at all. Annelotte did not know what was the indicator of him getting aroused and all, for she was a virgin. Also, what was the point of him showing her his belonging and getting aroused?

Was it supposed to be that weird? It looked like a mushroom, limp, and big…

“Too bad, Lord Grivenska,” the queen chirped, obviously in a happy mood. “Even though your daughter is beautiful, alas, she had no charm. Ah, my deepest condolence.”

Annelotte managed to keep a straight face, but deep inside her emotions were boiling. This succubus was really rotten… She was sure her parents were thinking of the same thing.

“It seems so, Your Majesty. My daughter lacks a certain skill as she has never been in a deep relationship with a man before,” Annelotte’s mother agreed. “And this means that she is not a suitable concubine for His Majesty.”

Silently, Annelotte sighed in gratitude. Finally I can go home…

“I’ll accept her,” suddenly the king spoke. His declaration shocked everyone in the room. Done with fixing his pants, he slowly rose and approached her.

Annelotte felt a sudden chill. It was as if something really wrong and nasty was approaching fast. Her brain urged her to flee, but she could not. The longer she was being stared at, the stronger the feeling was.

This man is not normal…!

She was scared…

A gauntleted hand cupped her chin, tilting her face up, but Annelotte was too enveloped in fear that she avoided looking at him at all cost.

“Welcome to the family, girl,” the king sneered, “we expect great things from you.”

Annelotte’s happiness sunk. From the corner of her eyes, she could see her parents smiling. She, however, could not find the reason to.

…she was finally sold.